Corn-husker



(No Model.)

J. WILLMANN.

CORN HUSKER.

No. 573,561. Patented Dec. 22, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE.

JOSEPH WILLMANN, OF SOLMS, TEXAS.

CORN-HUSKER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 573,561, dated December 22, 1896.

Application filed June 16,1896. Serial No. 595,815. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH WILLMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Solms, in the county of Comal and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Corn-Husker, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to corn-huskers; and the object in view is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and convenient hand-operated ma chine employing an oscillating knife or cutter for severing the stalk or stem and at the same time clamping the shueks, so that the car, when turned, will effect the bursting open of the shueks, thus permitting the ready removal of the ear.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the ensuing description.

The invention consists in a corn-shucker embodying certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in operation. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing also the closed position of the knife in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view.

Similar numerals of reference design ate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates asuitable box or open-top receptacle upon which the shucker is mounted.

. The shucker is mounted just over the open box or receptacle, so that the ears of corn as they are cut may be dropped into the same.

The shucker consists of two posts or stand ards 2 and 3 of different heights, the shorter post 2 having one end of the vibratory knifebar 4 pivotally connected thereto and the longer post being made double or provided with a vertical slot or way 5, in which the free or swinging end of the knife-bar moves, the post 3 thus serving as a guide for the knife-bar.

The knife-bar at carries the knife or cutter 0, the latter having a rounded or convex cutting edge, and between the knife-bar and the box or receptacle upon which the shucker is mounted is interposed a coiled spring 7, having its upper end in engagement with the knife-bar and its lower end disposed around a short vertical post 8, projecting upward from the box or receptacle and forminga seat for the spring. This spring serves to restore the knife-bar to its uppermost position after making a cut.

9 designates the operating-lever, which is .fulcrumed in the upper end of the post 3 and connected by means of a link 10 to the knifebar 4 at a short distance from the fulcrum of the lever, such distance being regulated by the power which it is desired to impart to the machine. The lever 9 is given a right-angular bend or offset 11 intermediate its ends, the effect of which is to establish a shoulder or stop-surface 12, which, as the lever is depressed, strikes against the upper surface or edge of the knife-bar 4 and stops the knife or cutter 6 just before it reaches the bar or beam 13, upon which the shucker is mounted, thus preventing the knife from cutting entirely through the shucks. The downward movement of the knife-bar may also be limited by the post 8, which may be extended sufficiently high to prevent the knife 6 from reaching the bar or beam 13.

14 indicates an oblique or diagonal brace which is interposed between the upper end of the post 3 and the beam 13 or the box or receptacle upon which the shucker is mounted.

In operation the attendant takes an ear of corn in the left hand and holds the butt-end thereof directly under the knife, after which with the right hand he depresses the lever 9. The knife in descending cuts off the stalk from the ear, but the knife, being limited in its movement, is prevented from passing entirely through the shueks, and thus the latter are clamped and held stationary. By now turning the ear with the left hand the shucks are caused to burst open. The ear is released and drops into the box or receptacle under the shucker, and the lever 9 being released it is returned to its initial point of movement by means of the spring 7. This releases the husks, which may be disposed of in any convenient manner.

The machine above described is very simple in construction, inexpensive in manufacture, and enables one man to do the work of four or more.

It will be understood that the device is susceptible of changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction, which may accordingly be resorted to without departing the husk, substantially as and for the purpose described. V

2. The combination with a suitable base, of a pivoted knife-bar, a knife mounted thereon, a slotted post for guiding the free end of the knife-bar, an operating-lever for the knife, and a link interposed between said lever and the knife-bar, said lever being provided intermediate its ends with an oifset or shoulder adapted to strike against the knife-bar for limiting the movement of the knife, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH WILLMANN. lVitnesses:

PET. J. LENZEN, R. BODEMANN, Jr. 

